St. Cloud State delays campus demolition to align with $6.8M downtown project

St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota is holding off on tearing down four aging buildings, including the Performing Arts Center, as it aligns timing with the city's $6.8 million Downtown Connection Project set to begin construction in fall 2027. The Minnesota Legislature approved $3 million for demolition, enough for one smaller building, though the university estimates it needs $12-15 million total; some structures contain asbestos and water damage. Additional funding requests are expected this fall and next legislative session.